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Families regain access to clean water after floods in Turbat, Pakistan

Muhammad Hussain, right, a poor farmer of Kalag village, talks about the importance of water to his family's health and livelihood. Photo: CWS

January 14, 2008

Muhammad Hussain is a poor farmer of Kalag village. He has four young daughters and says he is always concerned about getting them married. Last year he planned to save some money from the harvest to put something aside for them.

However, in June 2007, Hussain suffered a great setback, when the karez--the underground water supply system that is the main source of his village's water--was completely destroyed in the floods. Apart from farming, he had no other means to support his family. As the water level decreased, his output and income reduced as well. The entire village is dependent on the karez for water supply and has suffered severe damages during the floods.

When Hussain learned that Church World Service-Pakistan/Afghanistan (CWS-P/A) and Strengthening Participatory Organisation (SPO) were working in his area to rehabilitate the karezes, he was very relieved. He says, "The karez, which was non-functional after the floods, is today flowing with even more water due to these organisations' efforts. Once again we are harvesting various vegetables--like tomatoes, garlic, lady fingers (okra), etc." They are also using the karez water to grow mangoes, dates, lemons, and rice. Hussain is very grateful, because not only is he supporting his large family once again, but he is also making arrangements for his daughters' future.

Similarly, Shah Bibi is a 45-year-old woman who lives in Kuhun Pust Kushlat. She is the head of her household since her husband is working overseas. They have a well, which was dug inside their house, but it lacked a lid. Although the water was polluted and contaminated, they were using it for domestic purposes.

After the floods, she met the CWS-P/A and SPO team members at her friend’s house. They had come to survey the water sources in the area. She decided to mention her well to the team so that her family's water issues could be resolved, as well. When she returned home, she learned that the team had also visited her house and had already surveyed the condition of her well firsthand.

water pump
Hand pump installed by CWS-P/A.
Photo: CWS

She says that when the team brought in the equipment to install the hand pump, she was finally able to relax a little now that their problems would be solved to a certain extent. Now the water in the well is clean and fit for usage, and 15 other households in the neighborhood are benefiting by collecting water from the pump. The families' overall health and hygiene conditions have improved, and together the community has agreed to share responsibility for the well's maintenance and cleanliness.

Church World Service-Pakistan/Afghanistan in collaboration with Strengthening Participatory Organisation has installed 133 hand pumps and completed the rehabilitation of 12 karezes in Kech district, Balochistan. Forty hygiene training sessions have been conducted, and 2,000 hygiene kits and 4,000 jerry cans were also distributed. This Church World Service project has support from World Vision International. At then end of the project approximately 50,000 individuals will have access to clean water.

Media Contact:
Lesley Crosson, CWS/New York, 212-870-2676;
Jan Dragin, 781-925-1526;

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